10 Things to Do the Summer Before College

Monday, May 29, 2017

If you're heading off to college this fall, the summer before it all goes down can be a little daunting. There's so much to get done in a matter of just a few months. No one wants to be scrambling at the last minute because they haven't done anything to prepare all summer. I wanted to share a breakdown of some of the most important things your should do over the summer if you'll be heading to college in the fall!

1. Spend time with your family/friends

It may seem like an obvious suggestion, but so many people get caught up in thee excitement of going off to college that they completely forget that soon enough, they likely won't be living near their friends and family anymore. In the midst of working and packing up for school in the fall, make sure to find time to spend time with your loved ones!

2. Start packing up early

Packing for college in general can be a difficult task, but packing for your first year of college can be particularly overwhelming since you don't know exactly what you'll be needing. I posted this packing list last summer, if you want to check it out and get some ideas.

It's always best to get started as early as possible. Even if you think packing for college is going to be easy, I promise it's not going to be! It will probably take you longer than you think, so to avoid scrambling at the last minute, get started as early as possible to ensure that everything runs smoothly!

3. Shop for dorm supplies, school supplies, etc.

Shopping for college is SO fun. There's nothing better than picking out all the cute dorm decor that you want in your room. There are definitely some key investments you should make before heading off to college (I have a complete list here), so make sure you have a list of everything you'll need so you don't get overwhelmed.

4. Get your books and research your professors

After attending orientation, you typically have your class schedule and a list of your professors. If you go to sites like RateMyProfessor and type in your school and each professors name, you can actually see reviews from fellow students who have had that professor in the past. This way, you can get a general idea of how difficult the class is going to be (or if you even need to purchase the book at all!)

One thing I seriously regret before going to college was not doing this. I could have saved so much money on books if I had just looked at a few reviews and discovered that I definitely didn't need to purchase all my books.

5. Go through your closet

Moving out of your house for the year and into college makes this the perfect time to go through all your old clothes and get rid of things you never wear anymore. New chapter of life = time to get rid of some stuff! Also, it feels nice to leave a clean closet and clean drawers for when you come home for school breaks.

6. Read a good book!

Soon enough, you'll be weighed down with tons of books to read for school, so take some time to read something you really enjoy.

The summer is the perfect time to sit on the beach with some of the best beach reads and just relax. While the summer before college can be extremely busy with working, packing, and saying goodbye to friends and family for awhile, it's important to take time to relax, because life is going to get even crazier in the first few months of college.

7. Save your money

While it's tempting to go crazy and buy a heap of new clothes, shoes, and other items before heading to college, try to be careful with your money. A lot of college students won't have jobs during the semester (particularly freshmen because they're just trying to get used to everything), so it's important to at least have some money if you need something.

Save up your money from your summer job so you can have some cash when you go off to college!

8. Take tons of pictures

In a few months everything is about to change, so you'll want to hang onto these memories. Take as many pictures as you can so you can look back on them when you're feeling a little homesick during your first semester.

9. Look for a roommate

Thinking about the upcoming year is exciting, so don't fight the urge to dive in right away this summer. You can always start searching through your college's Facebook group to find a roommate. Be warned, it doesn't ALWAYS work out when you find your roommate through Facebook, but sometimes it can be comforting to know that you've chosen someone who seems relatively similar. You guys can start planning who will buy what for the room and discussing your interests!

10. Enjoy yourself

College can be stressful sometimes, and it's likely that your first semester of college will be overwhelming (but still awesome!). Take these last few months of no school work to relax and prepare for what's next.

Let me know in the comment or via email what kinds of posts you guys want to see this summer! If you're heading to college for the first time in a few months, hit me with your questions and I'll do my best to cover as much as possible :)